Delta Air Lines, with a regional hub and many employees based in Salt Lake City, has decided that employees will be charged $200 extra each month for their company-sponsored healthcare plan if they decide not to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The action is among the tactics being used by American corporations to encourage employees to get the shots.
Delta competitor United Airlines, along with a number of other high-profile companies, have mandated shots for their employees to protect their operations from the highly contagious delta variant which is especially strong in parts of the country with lower vaccination levels. Pres. Joe Biden has also urged private businesses to require employees to be vaccinated.
In a memo to employees, Delta CEO Ed Bastian said the monthly surcharge would take effect on Nov. 1. He said the charge is necessary to address the financial risk the Atlanta-based airline faces with unvaccinated employees.
